205: Interior Design Sourcing: Your Secret Weapon

Sourcing does not have to eat up hours of your week or leave you scrambling when a furnishing, shipment, or receiver problem appears. In this episode of Design Business Freedom, I'm joined by longtime industry rep Roger Miles of Roger Miles LLC to show interior designers how to use their reps as a powerful sourcing, pricing, logistics, and problem-solving resource.

Roger shares what great manufacturer reps can bring to your interior design business beyond product knowledge, including better pricing opportunities, shipping solutions, vetted receiving resources, market insights, and behind-the-scenes problem solving. You'll learn why building strong rep relationships early in a project can dramatically streamline interior design sourcing and help you deliver a stronger client experience.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

Use your manufacturer reps at the very beginning of a project to shorten sourcing time and uncover products you may never find on your own.

Communicate price point, style, quantities, lead times, floor plans, and project deadlines so your reps can recommend the strongest options faster.

Ask for better pricing instead of assuming the price you receive is the best available for your interior design business.

Leverage your reps' logistics knowledge, receiver relationships, manufacturer contacts, and industry network when a project goes sideways.

Build stronger rep relationships so Design Business Freedom listeners can create a more efficient, profitable, and supported interior design sourcing process.

While one word can truly grow your profits, mastering more will lead to a full business and personal transformation. Get them all in my book "The Language of Success: 35 Words to Boost Your Worth and Wealth". You'll be pleasantly surprised at the effectiveness of these word swaps and the increased confidence you'll feel in business and life.

Timestamps:

(00:04) Why your reps are an overlooked sourcing advantage

(01:59) Roger's path from manufacturing into furniture representation